AFAIK the MBA screen as a glossy LCD panel with an anti-reflection coating (giving a purple/green hue when viewed off-axis). This is not typically referred to as Anti-glare, but admittedly Apple marketing is not very good at differentiating the terms.

The MBP has an additional plate of glass (/plastic?) in front of an otherwise identical panel (giving 3 glass/air interfaces), which seems to be untreated and is dreadful regarding reflections IMO.

The MBP15/17 have the option of a matte screen, with no extra glass panel infront. The matte screen does not appear to have a anti-reflection coating, but due to the nature of the diffusion of reflections, it's much less noticable than the specular reflections of glossy screen.

The MBA screen sits in-between the readibility of the standard (glossy) MBP and the 'AG' (matte option) MBP. In all cases max. screen brightness is the main requirement in order to obtain sufficient contrast for the eye to be able to discern the screen display. YMMV

AFAIK the MBA screen as a glossy LCD panel with an anti-reflection coating (giving a purple/green hue when viewed off-axis). This is not typically referred to as Anti-glare, but admittedly Apple marketing is not very good at differentiating the terms.

The MBP has an additional plate of glass (/plastic?) in front of an otherwise identical panel (giving 3 glass/air interfaces), which seems to be untreated and is dreadful regarding reflections IMO.

The MBP15/17 have the option of a matte screen, with no extra glass panel infront. The matte screen does not appear to have a anti-reflection coating, but due to the nature of the diffusion of reflections, it's much less noticable than the specular reflections of glossy screen.

The MBA screen sits in-between the readibility of the standard (glossy) MBP and the 'AG' (matte option) MBP. In all cases max. screen brightness is the main requirement in order to obtain sufficient contrast for the eye to be able to discern the screen display. YMMV

I wouldn't say it's anti-glare. You cannot see the screen outside if there's any moderate sunlight. Heck, I have issues from the the window behind me! Any glass screen will have glare issues unless you place a matte cover over it.

Can someone with a macbook air show us a demo of how it looks outside in sunlight? There is hardly a point of getting anti-glare if you are always inside. The only reason I am getting a laptop is to work outside.

Can someone with a macbook air show us a demo of how it looks outside in sunlight? There is hardly a point of getting anti-glare if you are always inside. The only reason I am getting a laptop is to work outside.

I can't get a photo at the moment, but I use mine (13) outside all the time. As long as you stick to a shady spot, it's fine, even with the brightness turned down. In direct sunlight, it's usable as long as the brightness is all the way up, but I wouldn't want to watch videos on it. Also, the battery drains faster in the sun (due to higher brightness).

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.